The proximity of the search results to the user doing the search is the only ranking factor when it comes to local SEO

Proximity is a significant ranking factor in local SEO, but it is not the only one. Google's local ranking algorithm considers several factors, including relevance (how well a local business profile matches a user's search query), prominence (how well-known a business is, both online and offline, including reviews, links, and articles), and proximity. While a business closer to the searcher generally ranks higher, a more relevant or prominent business further away can still outrank it. Therefore, optimizing for all these factors is crucial for local SEO success.